Since the beginning of human civilization, plants have been our true companions. Plants contribute not only to our existence but also serve us through discovery, design and the treatment of various diseases where there is no satisfactory cure in modern medicine. This has focused Natural Product Chemists to unravel plants therapeutic potential in the light of modern analytical and pharmacological understandings. Presence of multiple active phytochemicals in medicinal plants offers exciting opportunity for the development of novel therapeutics, providing scientific justification for their use in traditional medicines. Non-food plants have been recognized as biofactories for the production of eco-friendly value added materials including agricultural, food products, enzymes, nutraceuticals etc. They have also been widely explored for personal care, industrial products and sources of energy generation. The proven efficacy of botanicals has been appreciated by the scientific community and strengthened plant-human relationship. The synergism in the Phytoproducts, the result of the interaction of two or more moieties, is not simply additive but multiplicative. Recent acceptance of the Food and Drug Administration (US) for herbal-medicine based preparation has renewed interest in Natural Product Research. The year 2011 is declared as the International Year of Chemistry (IYC 2011) by the United Nations Assembly. On this occasion, the present conference CPHEE 2011 aims to offer chemists from diverse areas to come to a common platform to share the knowledge and unveil the chemistry and magic potentials of phytoproducts for the mankind.

This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the principles, methods and applications of chemical ecology, covering such topics as chemical signalling, predator–prey interactions, host plant selection and chemical defence. The book takes the reader through the historical development of the discipline to current state-of-the-art research, delving into recent findings on the role of chemical ecology in conservation and management and exploring how the field may contribute to future innovations in ecological science. A chapter is dedicated to the techniques that have been used in chemical ecology and some success stories. Chemical Ecology: Insect-Plant Interactions is an important resource for advanced undergraduates and postgraduate researchers as well as practitioners in this interdisciplinary field. The book’s layout aligns with the curriculum of chemical-ecology-related disciplines, progressing from basic fundamental principles to a more advanced level. Those studying and researching in ecology, entomology, plant biology and biochemistry will find it invaluable as well as those practising in areas such as agriculture, forestry and pest management.

An essential resource for scientists designing new energy materials for the vast landscape of solar energy conversion as well as materials processing and characterization Based on the new and fundamental research on novel energy materials with tailor-made photonic properties, the role of materials engineering has been to provide much needed support in the development of photovoltaic devices. Advanced Energy Materials offers a unique, state-of-the-art look at the new world of novel energy materials science, shedding light on the subject’s vast multi-disciplinary approach The book focuses particularly on photovoltaics, efficient light sources, fuel cells, energy-saving technologies, energy storage technologies, nanostructured materials as well as innovating materials and techniques for future nanoscale electronics. Pathways to future development are also discussed. Critical, cutting-edge subjects are addressed, including: Non-imaging focusing heliostat; state-of-the-art of nanostructures Metal oxide semiconductors and their nanocomposites Superionic solids; polymer nanocomposites; solid electrolytes; advanced electronics Electronic and optical properties of lead sulfide High-electron mobility transistors and light-emitting diodes Anti-ferroelectric liquid crystals; PEEK membrane for fuel cells Advanced phosphors for energy-efficient lighting Molecular computation photovoltaics and photocatalysts Photovoltaic device technology and non-conventional energy applications Readership The book is written for a large and broad readership including researchers and university graduate students from diverse backgrounds such as chemistry, materials science, physics, and engineering working in the fields of nanotechnology, photovoltaic device technology, and non-conventional energy.

This proceedings volume contains a selection of invited and contributed papers of the 10th International Workshop on Sulfur Metabolism in Plants, which was held in Goslar, Germany September 1-4, 2015. The focus of this workshop was on the fundamental, environmental and agricultural aspects of sulfur in plants, and presents an overview of the progress in the research developments in this field in the 28 years since the first of these workshops. The volume covers various aspects of the regulation of the uptake and assimilation of sulfate in plants from a molecular to a whole plant level with an emphasis on the significance of sulfur metabolism in plant responses to stress and in food security.

Spices are used in small quantities to add flavor, aroma, color, and texture in food preparation. However, spices and condiments have also been recognized as having medicinal value. They have been used traditionally as curative and preventive agents, the bioactive compounds obtained from these plants are used in herbal drug formulations in modern times. Medicinal Spice and Condiment Crops provides a comprehensive overview on the medicinal properties of spices and condiments with focus on various phytochemicals derived from them. KEY FEATURES: • Examines spices and condiments with respect to their biology, diversity, distribution, and pharmacological values. • Explores the scientific validations of the therapeutic potentials of spice and condiment plant species. • Discusses the bioactive agents involved in alleviating symptoms of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, ulcers, skin disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. • Explains specific medicinal features of spice and condiment-producing plant species inspiring research, discovery, and safe herbal drug formulation. A volume in the Exploring Medicinal Plants series, this book is useful for plant scientists, economic botanists, those who work with herbal and complementary medicine, as well as people working in the pharmaceutical industry.

This book covers latest information on organic and inorganic waste management, and how the waste can be utilized as an energy source. An increasing world population and climate change rate hint that environmental health needs a sustainable waste recycling system worldwide. Management of wastes material plays a substantial role in the environment and climate regulation. Chapters contain modern tools and techniques for managing inorganic, biomedical, municipality, and food waste. The title covers the role of contemporary microbiology and biotechnological tools in waste management and how these microbial agents can enhance waste degradation and bioenergy production. The book covers interesting topics such as bio-ethanol production from agro-waste, microbial fuel cells, biogas production from animal waste, nanotechnology in waste recycling, etc. The primary audiences are researchers, scientists, students, and policymakers interlinked with waste management and applied microbial sectors. ​

Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Crop Modification, Nutrition, and Food Production provides extensive coverage of new developments, state-of-the-art technologies, and potential future trends, presenting data-based scientific knowledge on agribiotechnology and describing world agriculture and the role biotechnology can play in ensuring food security over the next fifty years. The book discusses the effects of climate change in agriculture and the resultant emergence of new crops, including drought tolerant and more nutritious plants. In addition, the book discusses insect and virus resistance in plants and outlines plant metabolic engineering for agriculture, genetically engineered plants, and microbial diseases. - Highlights recent developments in agriculture due to biotechnology - Relates the effect of climate change in agriculture to the development of new crops - Describes the application of metabolic engineering in the development of new genetically modified plants

This Handbook focuses on the recent advancements in Safety, Risk, Ethical Society and Legal Implications (ESLI) as well as its commercialization of nanotechnology, such as manufacturing. Nano is moving out of its relaxation phase of scientific route, and as new products go to market, organizations all over the world, as well as the general public, are discussing the environmental and health issues associated with nanotechnology. Nongovernmental science organizations have long since reacted; however, now the social sciences have begun to study the cultural portent of nanotechnology. Societal concerns and their newly constructed concepts, show nanoscience interconnected with the economy, ecology, health, and governance. This handbook addresses these new challenges and is divided into 7 sections: Nanomaterials and the Environment; Life Cycle Environmental Implications of Nanomanufacturing; Bioavailability and Toxicity of Manufactured Nanoparticles in Terrestrial Environments; Occupational Health Hazards of Nanoparticles; Ethical Issues in Nanotechnology; Commercialization of Nanotechnology; Legalization of Nanotechnology.

The use of medicinal plants in herbal and modern medicine has gained popularity over the last few decades due to consumers taking more natural approaches to medicine. Aquatic medicinal plants are rich in bioactive compounds and demonstrate various commercial, nutraceutical, and biological applications. Aquatic Medicinal Plants offers the reader a wealth of information on uses of bioactive components of these plants, along with crucial references, and explains their traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties. Features Provides information on aquatic and semiaquatic medicinal plants and their uses globally. Discusses phytochemical components with the known active constituents and their pharmaceutical applications. This volume in the Exploring Medicinal Plants series is appropriate for scientists, experts, and consultants associated with the exploration of aquatic medicinal plant usage. This book is an essential tool for identifying important aquatic medicinal plants and possibilities for the synthesis or preparation of modern drugs.

Essential Oils: Contact Allergy and Chemical Composition provides a full review of contact allergy to essential oils along with detailed analyses of the chemical composition of essential oils known to cause contact allergy. In addition to literature data, this book presents the results of nearly 6,400 previously unpublished sample analyses, by far the largest set of essential oils analyses ever reported in a single source of scientific literature. Covering 91 essential oils and two absolutes, the book presents an alphabetical list of all 4,350 ingredients that have been identified in them, a list of chemicals known to cause contact allergy and allergic contact dermatitis, and tabular indications of the ingredients that can be found in each essential oil. The book discusses contact allergy and allergic contact dermatitis for each of the oils and absolutes, sometimes able to provide only one or two reports but drawing upon considerable amounts of literature in other cases, such as with tea tree oil, ylang-ylang oil, lavender oil, rose oil, turpentine oil, jasmine absolute, and sandalwood oil. While limited information on the main components and their concentrations would be enough for most dermatologists, this book gives extensive coverage not only to improve levels of medical knowledge and quality of patient care, but also for the benefit of professionals beyond clinical study and practice, such as chemists in the perfume and cosmetics industries, perfumers, academic scientists working with essential oils and fragrances, aromatherapists, legislators, and those involved in the production, sale, and acquisition of essential oils.